Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 27: Complex sentences · Set 589 · 40 questions

Writing tip (One clause leans on the other): Find the clause that starts with because, although, if, when, since, who, which or that — the subordinate clause (When the rain stopped). On its own it is not a complete sentence. The rest is the main clause (we went out to play): it makes complete sense alone. Choose the joining word by meaning: because → a reason, although → a surprise, if → a condition, when → a time, since → from a time until now, who → a person, which → a thing, that → what someone says, thinks or knows. Sort any sentence: one clause → simple; two main clauses → compound; a main clause + a subordinate clause → complex.

1. 1.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The book which I borrowed is about birds. (c) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (d) Kabir must run fast, or he will lose the race.
2. 2.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The sky was cloudy, but it did not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
3. 3.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Although the sky was cloudy, it did not rain. (b) The baker sold fresh bread to Imran. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) It was very cold, so we lit a fire.
4. 4.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) who sits next to me (c) is from Kochi
5. 5.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
   “___ the rain stopped, we went out to play.” (a) Although (b) When (c) Which
6. 6.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence
7. 7.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
   “Grandma has lived here since she was a girl.” (a) Grandma has lived here (b) has lived here (c) since she was a girl
8. 8.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
   “Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
9. 9.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Our team practised hard, so we won the cup. (b) The house which has a blue door is ours. (c) Grandma peeled the peas and cooked a tasty curry. (d) Priya wrote a letter to her pen friend.
10. 10.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
11. 11.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmers harvested the wheat in April.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
12. 12.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The children flew kites on the terrace.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
13. 13.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our class visited the science museum.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
14. 14.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The tailor stitched a new kurta for Dad. (b) I was thirsty, so I drank some water. (c) The puppy barked loudly and ran to the gate. (d) The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.
15. 15.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Our school has a big library.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
16. 16.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “It has rained every day ___ we came to Shimla.” (a) although (b) who (c) since
17. 17.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The plants died because nobody watered them.” (a) because nobody watered them (b) died (c) The plants died
18. 18.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “When I opened the door, the cat ran in.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
19. 19.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “I like mangoes, and my sister likes them too.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
20. 20.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The kite which Dad made for me is red.” (a) is red (b) which Dad made for me (c) The kite is red
21. 21.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We hope that it will not rain.” (a) simple sentence (b) compound sentence (c) complex sentence
22. 22.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Mum bought vegetables and paid the shopkeeper. (b) The room was dark, so I switched on the lamp. (c) The plants died because nobody watered them. (d) A strong wind shook the mango trees.
23. 23.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The shop was closed, so we went home.” (a) compound sentence (b) complex sentence (c) simple sentence
24. 24.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “___ the test was hard, Zoya got full marks.” (a) Although (b) Which (c) Because
25. 25.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The milk was sour, so Mum threw it away.” (a) simple sentence (b) complex sentence (c) compound sentence
26. 26.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
27. 27.What is the subordinate clause in this sentence?
    “The plant will grow if it gets sunlight.” (a) if it gets sunlight (b) will grow (c) The plant will grow
28. 28.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We stayed indoors ___ it was raining.” (a) because (b) although (c) who
29. 29.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) Manav kicked the ball over the fence. (b) The lights went out; we lit a candle. (c) Although the test was hard, Zoya got full marks. (d) Isha jumped over the puddle and laughed loudly.
30. 30.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The house which has a blue door is ours.” (a) which has a blue door (b) The house is ours (c) is ours
31. 31.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “When the water boiled, Mum added the rice.” (a) Mum added the rice (b) added the rice (c) When the water boiled
32. 32.What is the main clause in this sentence?
    “The girl who sits next to me is from Kochi.” (a) The girl is from Kochi (b) is from Kochi (c) who sits next to me
33. 33.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “Aisha fed the stray puppies near the gate.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
34. 34.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) My grandmother makes mango pickle every summer. (b) Grandma has lived here since she was a girl. (c) The mango was green, yet it was very sweet. (d) Kavya sang a song and danced on the stage.
35. 35.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “The farmer ploughed the field and sowed the seeds.” (a) compound sentence (b) simple sentence (c) complex sentence
36. 36.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “We hope ___ it will not rain.” (a) who (b) that (c) although
37. 37.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.” (a) complex sentence (b) simple sentence (c) compound sentence
38. 38.Which of these is a complex sentence? (a) The match ended; everyone went home. (b) Mum said that dinner was ready. (c) Arjun opened the window and looked outside. (d) Our neighbours grow tomatoes on their roof.
39. 39.Choose the right joining word for the gap:
    “Kabir thinks ___ the test is easy.” (a) who (b) although (c) that
40. 40.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex?
    “We have known Tara since we were in Class 1.” (a) complex sentence (b) compound sentence (c) simple sentence

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